James T Peterson Jr.

James T. “Jim" Peterson was born on February 5, 1934 in Fort Worth, TX. Born to James T. Peterson, Sr., and Jessie Natalie Parker Peterson, he grew up in Fort Worth with four siblings: Mary Mae McDonald, Gayne Ann Beaird, John “Butch” Peterson (deceased), and Natalie “Sissy” Peterson Nix (deceased).

Jim attended Paschal High School, where he pitched on the State Champion baseball team and played flute and piccolo in the Paschal Band. When he graduated from Paschal, he began his career as a pitcher in the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball organization, and moved up in the minor leagues.

From a young age, Jim showed an interest in pipe organs and model airplanes. After leaving baseball to raise a family, Jim began a career building pipe organs. His interest in organs was sparked as a child when he attended the movie theater with his parents and saw the Mighty Wurlitzer rise from the organ pit. The sight and sound of the mighty instrument inspired an interest that would shape his life. In the baseball off season, Jim was able to follow this interest, working with master organ builders to learn the craft. Jim built and installed organs in many well known churches and theaters throughout the country, including Casa Mañana Theater in Fort Worth, The Coleman Theater Beautiful in Miami Oklahoma, and, his ultimate labor of love, the organ in Genesis United Methodist Church in Fort Worth TX that was built under Jim’s careful guidance by members of the congregation.

Building model airplanes as a child with his parents, Jim developed a love of flight. An aspiring “airplane driver,” he eventually received his private pilots license and took to the skies. Jim’s favorite hobby was building and flying personal airplanes, particularly classic Stinson Aircraft.

In 1986, Jim was married to the love of his life, Mary Camille “Cam” Corkins. Cam and Jim united two families and set out on a 30 year journey of love, loyalty and companionship. To the marriage, Jim and Cam each brought a daughter, Mary Margaret Peterson and Allison Elayne Shannon Valencia, and had two children of their own: Natalie Alice Peterson and Jayme Tres Peterson Waldt.

The Peterson family grew up in organ chambers, at air shows, in the gym and on the tennis courts where Cam and Jim encouraged and inspired their daughters to excel. Countless hours spent at gym meets, piano recitals and on the tennis courts showed Jim's deep love and commitment to growing a loving, close knit family.

We are privileged, now, to celebrate Jim’s life, and the love and loyalty he showed to friends, family, and community. Jim’s kindness touched the lives of many and his gifts of time and talent can still be seen and felt in the craftsmanship of his pipe organs and the strength of the family he leaves behind.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Jesse “Kitty” Peterson; brother, John “Butch” Peterson, sister, Natalie “Sissy” Peterson; and daughter Kathy Barge.

He is survived by his wife, Cam Peterson; children, Mary Margaret Peterson, Allison Shannon Valencia and husband William Valencia, Natalie Alice Peterson, Jayme Tres Waldt and husband Zach Waldt; granddaughter Crystal Barge; sisters Mary Mae McDonald, Gayle Ann Beaird and husband E.J, Beaird; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made to Genesis United Methodist Church Pipe Organ Fund.